California, LA and Japan Sign Agreements for Green Shipping Initiative

Representatives from the state of California and the government of Japan signed agreements to collaborate on clean ports and shipping including establishing green shipping corridors during a trade mission to Japan. The initiative was followed with a second agreement between the ports of Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Yokohama as part of the broad effort to collaborate on enhancing the global supply chain and addressing greenhouse gas emissions.

“The ports of California and Japan help power the global economy and will now help power a new era of clean energy, clean transportation, and good-paying green jobs,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom who was represented by the state’s Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and business leaders including the executive directors of the state’s three largest ports.

The letter of intent signed in Tokyo calls for deepening cooperation, information-sharing, and discussion of best practices between the governments of California and Japan to support the development of green shipping corridors, expand offshore wind, and cut planet-warming pollution at ports in Japan and California. The initiative looks to build on trade and climate agreements launched between the state and Japan a year ago.

As part of the new agreement, the California State Transportation Agency will support green shipping corridors, port decarbonization, and the deployment of zero-emission transportation through the $1.2 billion Port and Freight Infrastructure Program, with awards for the one-time program scheduled to be announced later this month. In addition, the Japanese ministry along with GO-Biz, the California Air Resources Board, and the California Energy Commission, will share expertise and best practices on critical efforts to cut port-related pollution, including strategies for offshore wind development and zero-emission fuels and infrastructure.